"Mike" wrote in message
I neglected to state I live in the mid atlantic region, Baltimore, and
there is no furnace in the basement only a gas fired water heater for a
heat source. Earlier today the temp was 48 degrees in the basement.
It's got electric baseboard heat
but I only use it when the outside temp is below 20 degreee F for extended
periods.

Insulate the walls, not the ceiling. The heat going up will stay in the
house until it reaches the second floor and some small loss to the walls.
The heat going out the walls is lost and expensive.